Beet Kvass – Liver Cleanser and Blood Tonic

Every culture around the world has their own fermented foods that they regularly consumed for good health. My ancestors from Ukraine understood the many restorative properties of beet kvass. This lacto-fermented, probiotic rich tonic is made from beets. This is one of my probiotic staples that I don’t like to be without.

Many of the benefits include:

1. Better bowel function

2. Liver cleansing

3. Protects against infectious disease

4. Provides an abundant source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes

5. Aids in digestion

6. In Europe it is used as a cancer therapy.

7. Maintains a healthy gut flora.

8. Alkalizes the blood

9. A good treatment for kidney stones

My Easy Recipe

Chop your beets into 1/2 inch cubes. Do not shred as this will cause the beets to ferment too fast and the result might produce alcohol instead of lactic acid. I use a large 2 liter jar but you can use any size. I fill the jar 1/3 with beets.

1 tablespoon grated ginger

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

1 tablespoon of sea salt

2 probiotic capsules

Filtered water

Place everything in the jar and fill with water. We leave about 1.5 inches of air space in the jar. Stir everything together and then add the probiotics last. Give one last gentle stir. Cover and let sit on your counter for 48 hours. We prefer this recipe with the probiotic capsules because it reduces the fermentation time. Many recipes call for whey but we stopped using all dairy and no longer make kefir. We also make our sauerkraut with the probiotic capsules. Once you have some kvass you can just use 1/2 cup to innoculate your next batch.

Some people will empty the kvass and refill with water for a second batch. This will work but the second batch will not be as strong. I like to think that I am worth a fresh round of beets with every batch. Smiles

I can attest to the amazing health benefits of beet kvass. I have experienced the bowel cleansing benefits as well as a major increase in energy. I enjoy walking several miles per day and find my pace and distance has greatly increased since the addition of kvass. I cannot handle any type of fermented dairy due to a casein intolerance. So this has been such a blessing to find an easy, inexpensive probiotic food.

Helped with Anemia

Another benefit is the blood alkalizing and nutrient density of kvass. Since I have struggled with babesia (malaria like protozoan) and anemia I feel that kvass is an excellent maintenance and support for the blood as beets are high in vitamin c, iron and copper. The body needs all three to build new blood.

“Beets are unique in their rich combination of betalain pigments. Both betacyanins (red-violet pigments) and betaxanthins (yellow pigments) can be found in beets. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are betalains that have gotten special attention in beet research. Beets are also an excellent source of folate and a very good source of manganese, potassium, and copper. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B6”.

The beet kvass doesn’t contain any added sugar. It really isn’t sweet but tastes a bit salty and earthy. I have no problems at all with the kvass or the carrots in my daily green smoothie. Candida is not causing any problems for me as long as I stay off of the sugar and simple carbohydrates.

Hi Brenda! I just finished fermenting my first batch and tasted it. 🙂 Should the kvass look fermented – with tiny air bubbles rising from the bottom to the top? One of my jars did this while the second one did not (but then I think I forgot to add the salt to that jar).
Side question – Were you able to eat brown (white) potatoes while treating Lyme/Candida on the Wahl’s protocol? Were you able to eat fruit?
I’m just trying to figure out how strict I need to be with carbs while trying to kick Candida.
Thank you so much for answering all of our questions! You are such a blessing!!!
Faith

Hi Faith- Yes the kvass will have tiny bubbles rising. This is good as the probiotics are alive. The amount of bubbles depends on room temperature. In Mexico it ferments very quickly as it is so much warmer here.

I really avoided rice and potatoes the first year of Wahls Paleo. I eat a little of these now as I am in remission. The only fruit I ate was in my daily green smoothie. I prefer pineapple and papaya for the bromelain and papain. I kept my carbs between 60 – 100 grams per day. It is a good idea to track your food until you learn which foods are just too carby.

I have just made my third batch and I am really into it. I have hated beets my whole life, but now I love them, so surreal! Right now I am taking 1 dl twice daily, but I wonder what is a recommended maximum dosage.

Thank you, Brenda, for all of your information! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. I realize there’s so much more I can do for myself by being proactive to cure my lyme.

My question is with the water. I drink distilled water to completely eliminate the chlorine and fluoride due to osteopena. However I add mineral drops, ConcenTrace Mineral Drops, to my drinking water. Would the kvass work with the plain distilled water?